Hooty Hoo (November 2013)

The Official Stetson Athletics Magazine Volume 1, Issue 3

$3.00
The Official Stetson Athletics Magazine
Volume 1 Issue 3
Nov.-Dec. 2013
BIG GREEN
Check out the history
behind one of the newest
traditions in Stetson
Athletics. Page 13.
Also Inside:
A Special Homecoming p. 4
Homecoming Schedule p. 5
From the A.D.
p. 7
Tip of the Hat
p. 15
Hatter Classic Golf p. 17
ESPN3 Schedule
p. 20
Homecoming 2013:
November 8-10
Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball
Preview pp. 8-9
Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball
Preview pp. 10-11
#HatterHC
In Memoriam
Roger Gilmore
1929 - 2013
#HootyHoo
Contents
About the Magazine
Return of the Football Homecoming Celebration . . 4
#HootyHoo is a publication
of the Stetson University
Athletic Department.
All
rights reserved. Designed
and edited by the Stetson
Athletic Communications
office, and Keith Allen.
Photography
by
Jim
Hogue, David Williams,
PhotosInMotion.net, Rina
Tovar, Larry Nordman, the
Gilmore family, Stetson
University, and Stetson
Athletics. Printed by Independent Printing.
2013 Homecoming Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
From the Athletic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Men’s Basketball Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Women’s Basketball Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Fall/Winter Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Big Green: Redeeming the Peal and Pride . . . . . . 13
Stetson Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Tip of the Hat: Academic Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
#HootyHoo Schedule:
Issue 1: Aug.-Sept. 2013 - Commemorative Edition
Issue 2: Oct. 2013
Issue 3: Nov. - Dec. 2013 - Homecoming Issue
Issue 4: Jan. 2014
Issue 5: Feb. - March 2014
Issue 6: April - May 2014
Golf Teams Prepare for Hatter Classic . . . . . . . . . 17
Hatters on the Air / ESPN3 Schedule . . . . . . . . . . 20
Back Page Commentary (Bob Apgar) . . . Back Cover
#HootyHoo
Volume 1 • Issue 3
Nov.-Dec. 2013
3
November-December, 2013
Return of the Football Homecoming Celebration
A look back at the 1950 Stetson Football Homecoming game, courtesy of the Stetson University archives.
When Stetson hosts its first football
Homecoming celebration in nearly 60
years on Nov. 9, several former Hatters will
be in attendance.
Stetson last hosted a football
Homecoming in 1956, and one former
Hatter says he’s impressed with the
program’s development and can’t wait to
come back to DeLand for Homecoming.
James “Booty” Nance, a 1953
graduate and longtime Melbourne, Fla.,
resident, was a member of Stetson’s 1951
Tangerine Bowl champion squad. The
Hatters went 8-1-2 that season, defeating
Arkansas State 35-20 in the Tangerine
Bowl. The Hatters’ only loss that season
was to Florida State (13-10).
Nance is looking forward to the
Homecoming celebrations for a number of
reasons, including the chance to reconnect
with members of the Tangerine Bowl team.
“The guys from that ’51 squad used
to have annual reunions in DeLand for
a number of years,” Nance said. “We’d
get together at the old Holiday Inn, rent
a suite, and have ourselves a great time.
We’d go out and play golf and come back
to the hotel and reminisce some more. But
we stopped having those get-togethers a
few years back because there weren’t too
many of us left. I think we’re all looking
forward to coming to DeLand and attending
some functions, and watching Stetson win
the game.”
#HootyHoo
Another former Hatter, Tampa’s Peter
Brainard (’59), was thrilled when he heard
Stetson was bringing back football. He had
a simple reaction when he first heard the
news.
“Finally!” he said. “To me a university
without a football program… it just
doesn’t make sense. I understand why
they stopped the program all those years
ago. Money was tight, and it costs a lot to
have football. But I sure am glad (Stetson
President) Dr. Libby and (Athletics
Director) Jeff Altier had the foresight to
start the program back up.”
Nance and Brainard both said they
expect the 2013 Homecoming celebration
to be quite unlike what they and their
teammates experienced in the ‘50s.
“We didn’t have the equipment or the
people or the money to do what Stetson is
doing for Homecoming these days,” said
Nance. “We did have a parade through
downtown and a band at the game, but
that was pretty much it.”
“The only Homecoming game I played
we beat Mississippi College 25-0 (1955),”
said Brainard. “I played in that game in the
fourth quarter, and that’s quite a memory.
(Homecoming) wasn’t as big back then as
it is now. I expect this year’s event to be a
much bigger deal.”
Nance and Brainard have been strong
supporters of Stetson football’s rebirth.
Nance said it’s great to see the university
4
and DeLand communities supporting the
players as they make their way through a
sometimes challenging first season.
“Coach (Roger) Hughes and I have
become buddies since he was hired, and
I’ve known Jeff Altier for several years,”
said Nance. “I’m also impressed with what
Dr. Libby has accomplished. I hope we can
get a win this weekend, but even if we don’t I
know we’re in good shape moving forward.
“Reviving the program should have
happened a long time ago. I’m glad the
university has a president that likes sports
and understands their value. I’m proud
Stetson has a team again and that they’re
going to give it every chance to succeed.”
Nance said he was glad to see the
newest version of Stetson football being
given a chance to succeed.
“Our status was always tenuous every
year I was on the team,” he said. “So it’s
great to see the commitment from so many
different areas. I certainly hope they have
success on the field and a heckuva lot of
fun, too.”
Brainard had similar thoughts.
“I remember when we used to have
to practice on an old field out by the
airport,” said Brainard. “So it’s great to
see these fellas having all the attention
and advantages that we never had. I’m
a season ticket holder and have been to
every game, and I plan on being a season
ticket holder again next year, too.”
November-December, 2013
From the Athletic Director:
Athletic Programs Moving in the Right Direction
W
e are well into the new
academic year, and the fall
sports seasons are coming
to a close. As we look to embrace the
challenges for the remainder of the
year, it’s worthwhile to pause and reflect
upon this moment in time.
This is a very exciting time to be
a Hatter and, as Athletic Director, I am
especially proud of the role of athletics
Jeff Altier
in the greater Stetson community.
Universities and athletic departments develop and evolve
and, this year, all Hatter fans have been part of history as Stetson
ushered in the next generation of athletics by reintroducing the
past, football. This step, some say an evolutionary step, has
brought a newfound vibrancy to campus life and has provided a
tangible rallying point for alumni.
In addition, several new traditions -- such as the ringing of
the portable Hulley Tower bell with each touchdown, the Hatter
Walk and tailgating at Spec Martin Stadium – have helped to
create a newfound energy for every sporting event.
Football is not the only evolutionary step forward for the
athletic program; several new hires have ushered in an era of
greater coaching diversity as well as professional experience.
Corey Williams, a former NBA player and college standout at
Oklahoma State, became the first African-American head coach
of Stetson’s men’s basketball team.
Stetson fans cheer on the players during the
Hatter Walk before every home football game.
Manoj Khettry, a collegiate soccer all-American with 22
years of coaching experience, became the women’s soccer
programs head coach in April.
Additionally, the rowing program, for the first time since
inception, became an affiliate conference member of the
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. This conference affiliation,
combined with the recent purchase of the rowing site at Lake
Beresford, will position head coach Mark Wilson and the
rowing team with an opportunity to compete for conference
championships and NCAA regionals.
The volleyball and cross country teams are having success
at the highest level in recent history -- setting personal and
program bests while receiving conference-wide recognition.
But with regard to the evolution of athletic success, no one
has done it better than Lynn Bria and the women’s basketball
team. The Hatters are coming off the third consecutive year
of postseason participation and a No. 14 seed in the NCAA
Championship. They are preparing to move forward this year,
beginning with an unprecedented appearance in the preseason
Women’s National Invitational Tournament.
While the program is evolving forward with new teams,
coaches and success, we have just scratched the surface of
what is to come. It is indeed a great time to be a Hatter!
I look forward to seeing you at the games. Go Hatters!
“Big Green” rings after every Hatters score.
#HootyHoo
7
November-December, 2013
Coach Williams Era Begins for Men’s Basketball
On June 3, 2013, Stetson Director
of Athletics Jeff Altier announced Corey
Williams as the 21st Hatters men’s
basketball head coach in program history.
Coach Williams went to work immediately
after stepping foot on campus, hiring his
staff in just a few weeks, and bringing in
four new recruits less than a month later.
With an earlier start to the season
– the squad held its first official practice
on Sept. 27 – the 2013-14 version of the
Stetson men’s basketball team has been
hard at work preparing to build off of the
team’s success from a year ago.
“We’ve been learning,” Williams
said of the Hatters’ preseason. “We’ve
been learning the intensity of it all, the
expectations of the coaching staff, and our
guys have really put forth the effort. We’re
still making some mistakes that we will
need to get better at, but overall I think the
enthusiasm, the energy has been good.”
Having finished third in the Atlantic
Sun Conference standings, earning a berth
to the A-Sun Tournament for the first time
in four years, and reaching the conference
semifinals for the first time since 2005-06,
last season was one of the Hatters’ best in
recent memory.
When Williams arrived on campus,
however, there were only nine players on
the Stetson roster, and only six of them
had seen time on the court as Hatters.
Seniors Aaron Graham, Willie Green
and Hunter Miller have all seen time in
the starting lineup during their careers at
#HootyHoo
Stetson, giving the Hatters a healthy core
of experience and leadership with a new
coaching staff on board.
“They’ve been here,” Williams said of
his returning seniors. “They know how this
place operates. They know this league a
lot better than I know the league, because
they’ve played in it. They bring a wealth of
knowledge to our newcomers. They need
to share what it takes to be on top, and
hopefully that message resonates.”
Graham is coming off of two productive
years with the Hatters, recording two of
the four best single-seasons for
3-point shooting in Stetson history.
As a sophomore, he knocked
down 68 triples – the second-most
ever – and last year he tallied 66
treys. With just 15 more makes
from beyond the arc, Graham will
become the all-time 3-point leader
in Hatters history.
Miller stepped into the
starting point-guard role midway
through last season, his first year
of competition with the Hatters
after transferring from Florida Gulf
Coast, and he will see much of
his time at the point again as a
senior. With the ability to control
the game and score when needed
to, Miller finished 2012-13 with
88 assists, 25 steals, and a 40.9
3-point percentage.
After leading the Hatters in
rebounding a year ago, Green
8
returns to the frontcourt ranked eighth in
Stetson history with 80 career blocked
shots in just two seasons. Last year, the
Orlando native had a breakout campaign,
starting all 31 games while leading
the team with 6.6 rebounds per game,
shooting at 54.1 percent from the floor,
and recording 41 blocks.
Sophomores Tanner Plemmons and
Leke Solanke, junior Kyle Sikora, and
redshirt freshman Brian Pegg round out
the returning Hatters for the 2013-14
season.
Senior Willie Green
November-December, 2013
2013-14 Men’s Basketball Season Preview, cont.
Senior Aaron Graham
Plemmons showed signs that he can
seriously shoot it as a freshman last year.
In limited minutes, the guard knocked
down 11 3-pointers on 44.0-percent
shooting from beyond the arc, and shot
46.7 percent overall during his 20 games
of action.
Solanke and Pegg, who came in
together as freshmen last season, will
provide plenty of depth to the Hatter
frontcourt in their second seasons at
Stetson. Solanke brings plenty of energy,
has the ability to block shots, and can finish
with authority. Pegg only played in two
games last season before missing the rest
of the year due to injury, but the younger
brother of former Hatter star Adam Pegg
certainly showed signs of excellence in
limited action.
Sikora, who sat out last season due
to NCAA transfer rules, gives the Hatters
size in the middle. The 7-footer also has
experience from his time at Oakland. In
2011-12, he played in 33 games, starting
16 contests and averaging nearly 10
minutes per game at center.
Stetson brings eight new faces
into the fold for the upcoming season,
including a pair of upperclassmen who
gained valuable experience at LouisianaLafayette.
After three seasons and 68 starts
at point guard for Louisiana-Lafayette,
Raymone Andrews brings experience,
leadership, and stellar defense to the
Stetson backcourt as a fifth-year senior. In
2011-12, Andrews averaged 6.3 points per
game while shooting 72.9 percent from the
#HootyHoo
free-throw line and recording a 1.7 assistto-turnover ratio.
“Raymone is a natural leader,”
Williams said. “He’ll bring that poise that
we need at the point guard position. [He
and Hunter] understand that they have to
be an extension of me, so when I need
something done I look at those two guys to
make sure they spread that message and
that our guys are up to the task.”
Kentwan Smith played in 28 games
as a freshman at Louisiana-Lafayette
before transferring to Otero Junior College
in Colorado. There he averaged 10.4
points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting
51.8 percent from the floor.
A trio of true freshmen guards will give
the Hatters plenty of depth in the backcourt
in 2013-14. Glenn Baral, who has brought
winning ways everywhere he’s played, is
a big shooting guard with a pure stroke.
B.J. Glasford, who moves upstate from
Miami, is a smooth combo guard who can
play the point or the two. Finally, Raekwon
Harney is a true point guard who averaged
double-digit assists and nearly five steals
per game while leading Winston-Salem
Prep to two state championships.
Freshman Andrew Zelis is a 6-11
center who gives Stetson another big man
to work with in the middle. Sophomore
Cameron Harvey was added late in the
summer, and will redshirt after transferring
from Eastern Illinois. Finally, sophomore
Aidan Hadley was added as a walk-on just
prior to the start of the season.
After home exhibitions against Tampa
and Palm Beach Atlantic, Stetson begins
the 2013-14 campaign at Clemson and
Notre Dame to open an eight-game road
trip. The Hatters will host Davidson in the
home opener on Nov. 30 and begin Atlantic
Sun Conference play on Dec. 30, hosting
Lipscomb (see page 12 for schedule).
“The resounding message that
[the players] will hear from me is take
advantage of today,” Williams said. “Today
is very important. Let’s not look on down
the line. Let’s make the best of today. If we
do that, if our approach is that way, then
we won’t have any regrets each and every
day that passes by, because we’ll know
that we gave 110 percent.”
Senior Hunter Miller
9
November-December, 2013
New Challenge, Same Goal for Women’s Basketball
Last season, when the Hatters won
a school-record 24 games, captured the
Atlantic Sun Conference Championship in
dramatic fashion, and earned a #14 seed
for the NCAA Tournament, they did it with a
senior-laden squad that had seen virtually
no turnover in the roster from the year
before.
However, with the graduation of six
seniors and seven newcomers joining the
program, the Stetson University women’s
basketball team will certainly have a new
flavor in 2013-14.
Part of the challenge for head coach
Lynn Bria and her staff is shortening the
learning curve for the newcomers, many
of whom are going to be called on to
contribute right away.
“We are going to have a lot of
growing pains with six freshmen,” Bria
said. “You have to do a lot of teaching, a
lot of standing around and talking (during
practice). I think they are picking up things
very well. It is a new system for them, but
they are working extremely hard, and I
think our upperclassmen are really helping
them come along.
The Hatters head into the season with
just one senior, two-time all-conference
performer Sasha Sims. The lone remaining
player on both of Stetson’s recent A-Sun
championship teams (2011, 2013), Sims
will be called upon to be a leader both on
and off the court.
“It is a lot tougher; I think I bear a lot
more of the responsibilities,” Sims said
about being the team’s only senior. “It is
a different role than I assumed last year,
but I feel I am adapting. The leadership
part is the same, being vocal and leading
by example. It just requires a lot more
ownership to one person versus having five
other seniors to help out and contribute. It
is a lot of pressure, but it is something I
have prepared myself for over my three
years, because I have always been by
myself in my class.”
Sims has already had one of the
most decorated careers in school
history. In addition to her two conference
#HootyHoo 10
championships, she has scored over 1,100
points, grabbed over 500 rebounds, and is
quickly approaching the school record for
career blocks. Recently, the league’s head
coaches selected Sims as the preseason
Defensive Player of the Year.
“I think she is the most versatile player
in the conference, and I have said that
since she was a freshman,” Bria said. “I
don’t think there is anything she can’t do.
She can guard the perimeter, she can
guard the post, she can step out, and she
can go inside. I’m glad she is on my team,
and we are going to need her every day.”
Senior Sasha Sims
November-December, 2013
2013-14 Women’s Basketball Season Preview, cont.
Although Sims is the only senior, she
will have veteran support among a solid
trio of juniors, C.J. Coddington, Cherisse
Burris and Jama Sharp. All three have
been frequent starters and consistent
contributors on teams that have twice set
school records for most wins in a single
season.
“C.J. has improved tremendously,
I think her shot has gotten a lot better,”
Bria said. “She has always been a great
defender. She has great size. C.J.
contributed a lot for us last year, and I
expect her to do even more this year.”
A strong force around the basket and
a consistent rebounder, Burris averaged
8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Hatters
last season. She averaged 10.0 points
during last year’s A-Sun tournament,
including scoring 13 points in the secondhalf of Stetson’s A-Sun finals victory over
FGCU.
“(Cherisse) finished the year strong,”
Bria said. “We would never have won
the championship without her. I thought
she had a great tournament. So far, she
looks really good. She is rebounding the
ball well; she is shooting the ball from the
perimeter extremely well. When we put
her inside, she is posting up and scoring
for us. I anticipate her to really help us this
year.”
Sharp, meanwhile, will have some big
shoes to fill this season. After primarily
playing the shooting-guard position her
first two seasons, she will slide over to the
Junior C.J. Coddington
Junior Cherisse Burris
point-guard spot, effectively taking over
the role held by Victoria McGowan and
Shanasa Sanders the past few years.
“Jama has played point most of her
life, so it is not a position that is new for her,”
Bria said. “We are going to rely heavily on
Jama and Sasha to score for us, but we
need Jama to play the quarterback spot,
we need her to run the show, and I believe
she will do that. She has done a good job,
and she is going to continue to get better.”
Sophomore Cha Cha Williams will help
provide depth in the Hatters’ frontcourt,
and sophomore transfer Myeisha Hall will
bring her athleticism and experience to the
backcourt. Hall was named to the Colonial
Athletic Association all-rookie team in
2011-12 at Old Dominion.
The six talented freshmen joining
the program this season are Stacia Allen,
DeAsia Beal, Sydni Davis, Keara Finnerty,
Amber Porter and Brianti Saunders.
Allen, a 5-6 guard, helped lead Lima
(Ohio) Senior High to a Division I sectional
championship last year. Beal, a 5-9 guard,
was named the Northern Kentucky Athletic
Conference Division II Player of the Year
at Holy Cross High School.
Davis, a 5-2 guard, earned All-State
honors her senior year at SouthfieldLathrup (Mich.) High School. Finnerty, a
5-9 guard, led the DC-metro area in 3-point
field goals for three consecutive years.
Saunders, a 5-4 guard and the Florida
1A Player of the Year, averaged over 24
points per game and help lead Hilliard to
the State Semifinals. She was named the
#HootyHoo 11
district player of the year an amazing five
times, and scored over 2,300 points in her
prep career.
The lone forward in the group is
Porter, a 6-3 post player from Woodbridge,
Va. Porter averaged over 27 points and
11 rebounds per game as a senior, helping
lead Potomac High School to a district
championship.
Bria says the team is going to have to
rely on its strong defensive play, especially
early in the season. With 53 percent of
the team’s scoring gone from last year’s
team, including the team’s top two scorers,
new individuals are going to have to step
up and contribute offensively.
“The biggest question that I have is,
‘Where are we going to score points?’”
Bria said. “We are working on it, and I
think the offense will come, but with losing
so many points from last year, we have to
have some people fill those roles and do
it consistently. Last year, I never had to
worry about telling Shanasa or Victoria to
score. They were going to do that. This
year, I think we share the ball a little bit
more. We just have to have people want to
step into those roles. I think it is going to
come down to finding points.
“If we get better every day, I think we
will have a chance at the end. I don’t know
how good we are going to be early, but I
think the more we play together, the better
this team is going to get.”
The Hatters open the season on Nov.
8 at Oklahoma (see page 12 for schedule).
Junior Jama Sharp
November-December, 2013
Stetson Fall/Winter Sports Schedules
Football
Date
#
NOVEMBER
2 Sat. *
9 Sat. *
16 Sat.
23 Sat. *
Opponent
Campbell
Davidson
at Jacksonville
at Mercer
Time
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
1:00 PM
4:00 PM
* - Pioneer Football League contest
Home games in bold and played at Spec
Martin Memorial Stadium
All times Eastern and subject to change
Men’s Soccer
Date
# Opponent
Time
NOVEMBER
2 Sat. * at North Florida
7:00 PM
9 Sat. * at Jacksonville
7:00 PM
10 Sun. at Florida Atlantic
1:00 PM
13 Wed. A-Sun Quarterfinals
TBA
15 Fri. A-Sun Semifinals
TBA
17 Sun. A-Sun Championship
TBA
* - Atlantic Sun Conference match
All times Eastern and subject to change
Women’s Soccer
Date
Opponent
Time
NOVEMBER
2 Sat. at Mercer (A-Sun QF) 7:00 PM
8 Fri.
at A-Sun Semifinals 4 or 7:00 PM
10 Sun. at A-Sun Championship 1:00 PM
All times Eastern and subject to change
Volleyball
Date
# Opponent
Time
NOVEMBER
1 Fri. * USC Upstate
6:00 PM
2 Sat. * ETSU
5:00 PM
5 Tue. * at North Florida
6:00 PM
9 Sat. * at Florida Gulf Coast 2:00 PM
15 Fri. * at Lipscomb
7:30 PM
16 Sat. * at Northern Kentucky 3:00 PM
21 Thur. Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals
22 Fri. Atlantic Sun Semifinals
23 Sat. Atlantic Sun Championship
* - Atlantic Sun Conference match
All times Eastern and subject to change
Home matches in bold
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
Date Opponent
Time
OCTOBER
26 Sat. % Tampa
1:00 PM
NOVEMBER
4 Mon. % Palm Beach Atlantic 7:00 PM
8 Fri. at Clemson
7:00 PM
10 Sun. at Notre Dame
1:00 PM
14 Thur. at Florida A&M
7:00 PM
18 Mon. at Florida International 7:00 PM
22 Fri. at USF
TBA
25 Mon. & vs. Wagner
TBA
26 Tue. & Gulf Coast Showcase
TBA
27 Wed. & Gulf Coast Showcase
TBA
30 Sat. Davidson
1:00 PM
DECEMBER
3 Tue. Bethune-Cookman 7:00 PM
7 Sat. at UCF
7:00 PM
17 Tue. Florida Atlantic
7:30 PM
30 Mon. * Lipscomb
7:00 PM
JANUARY
1 Wed. * Northern Kentucky 1:00 PM
5 Sun. * Florida Gulf Coast 1:00 PM
9 Thur. * at Jacksonville
TBA
11 Sat. * at North Florida
7:00 PM
16 Thur. * ETSU
7:00 PM
18 Sat. * USC Upstate
1:00 PM
23 Thur. * at Kennesaw State
7:00 PM
25 Sat. * at Mercer
3:00 PM
31 Fri. * at Florida Gulf Coast 7:00 PM
FEBRUARY
6 Thur. * North Florida
7:00 PM
8 Sat. * Jacksonville
1:00 PM
13 Thur. * at USC Upstate
7:00 PM
15 Sat. * at ETSU
4:00 PM
21 Fri. * Kennesaw State
7:00 PM
23 Sun. * Mercer
1:00 PM
27 Thur. * at Northern Kentucky 7:00 PM
MARCH
1 Sat. * at Lipscomb
11:00 AM
4 Tue. Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals TBA
6 Thur. Atlantic Sun Semifinals
TBA
9 Sun. Atlantic Sun Championship TBA
Date Opponent
Time
NOVEMBER
8 Fri. & at Oklahoma
8:00 PM
10 Sun. & Pre-Season WNIT
TBA
13 Wed. & Pre-Season WNIT
TBA
17 Sun. & Pre-Season WNIT
TBA
18 Mon. Indiana State
6:00 PM
20 Wed. at Bethune-Cookman 7:00 PM
29 Fri. at Florida State
7:00 PM
DECEMBER
2 Mon. at Florida A&M
6:00 PM
5 Thur. Palm Beach Atlantic 11:00 AM
8 Sun. at USF
1:00 PM
17 Tue. Charlotte
5:00 PM
20 Fri. % Murray State
1:00 PM
21 Sat. % Nicholls State
1:00 PM
JANUARY
4 Sat. * at Florida Gulf Coast 7:05 PM
9 Thur. * USC Upstate
6:00 PM
11 Sat. * ETSU
1:00 PM
16 Thur. * at Mercer
7:00 PM
18 Sat. * at Kennesaw State
2:00 PM
23 Thur. * North Florida
7:00 PM
25 Sat. * Jacksonville
1:00 PM
30 Thur. * at Northern Kentucky 7:00 PM
FEBRUARY
1 Sat. * at Lipscomb
5:00 PM
6 Thur. * at USC Upstate
7:00 PM
8 Sat. * at ETSU
1:30 PM
13 Thur. * Kennesaw State
7:00 PM
15 Sat. * Mercer
1:00 PM
20 Thur. * at North Florida
5:30 PM
22 Sat. * at Jacksonville
1:00 PM
27 Thur. * Northern Kentucky 7:00 PM
MARCH
1 Sat. * Lipscomb
1:00 PM
8 Sat. * Florida Gulf Coast 1:00 PM
11 Tue. Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals TBA
15 Sat. Atlantic Sun Semifinals
TBA
16 Sun. Atlantic Sun Championship TBA
% - Exhibition game
& - Gulf Coast Showcase, Estero, Fla.
* - Atlantic Sun Conference game
All times Eastern and subject to change
Home games in bold and played at the
Edmunds Center
#HootyHoo 12
& - Preseason WNIT
% - Hatter Classic, DeLand, Fla.
* - Atlantic Sun Conference game
All times Eastern and subject to change
Home games in bold and played at the
Edmunds Center
November-December, 2013
Big Green: Redeeming the Peal and Pride
In 1915, a “chime” of 11 bells was
delivered to the front of Elizabeth Hall.
However, their arrival was less planned
and more coincidence, as a canceled
order in Pennsylvania made the set of bells
available. Stetson, ever the resourceful
university, seized the opportunity to bring
the chimes to campus as the perfect
addition for the beautiful grounds.
The bells were originally housed in Elizabeth Hall.
Originally, the bells were housed in
the cupola of Elizabeth Hall. However,
after many years, the wooden structure
began to succumb to the sheer weight of
the bells and consistent vibrations of the
chimes. Thus, the bells were removed and
were without a home until the construction
of Hulley Tower in 1934. Originally
standing 116 feet tall, Hulley Tower was
the perfect location to feature the “Eloise
Chimes,” renamed in honor of Stetson
President Lincoln Hulley’s wife. The new
location allowed for the bells to be played
as well, and the chime’s peals could be
heard across campus daily. Sadly, in 2005,
Hulley Tower was found to be increasingly
unstable due to extensive water damage.
Failed again by structural integrity, the
bells were removed. Some were placed
throughout campus and DeLand, but the
majority were placed in crates, where they
remained for years until a new purpose
was given to one.
As Stetson’s first football season in
over 50 years approached, the university
began
developing
new
initiatives
that would contribute to the spirited
atmosphere of home games. However,
seeing as a game had not been held
at Stetson for decades, the university
lacked the traditions necessary
to cultivate a vibrant game-day
experience. Thus, the team tasked
with the responsibility of developing
such traditions began considering
options and benchmarking with
other institutions. After a multitude
of ideas had been crossed out, two
staff members jokingly discussed
building a massive version of the
hand bells that were being given to
students during FOCUS Orientation.
Over several days though, this joke
transformed into a serious initiative,
especially after a phone call to Facility
Services confirmed that the remaining
Eloise Chimes were still being stored
on campus, awaiting a purpose.
The bells were removed from Hulley Tower in 2005.
After
several
weeks
of
coordinating with a local metalworking
Stetson community. After being secretly
shop, DeLand Metal Craft, a partnership
hand-selected by the university, members
between Student Development and
participate in an initiation process. The
Campus Vibrancy, University Marketing,
organization also leads pep rallies and
and Athletics ensured the funding was
other spirited events throughout the year.
present to support the project. “Big
However, Big Green and her keepers
Green,” as it has become known due to
are symbols of a larger story occurring
its weathered patina, is a 1-ton bell from
within the communal fabric of the institution.
the original set of chimes, and is also the
Admittedly, Stetson has not always been
subject of one of Stetson’s cheers, “Let’s
known as a particularly spirited university.
go Big Green!” Present at every home
Nevertheless, the school is redefining
football game, the bell rings as the team
itself – taking hold of something new, a
takes the field, after each touchdown and
new identity, one marked by ubiquitous
field goal, at the start and end of halftime,
pride and fervent spirit. Some of the signs
and at the conclusion of the game. Big
of change are small, while others literally
Green also rings once after every firstweigh a ton. The peal and pride are
down conversion. The bell is “kept”
working together, redeeming one another,
and managed by a new organization
redefining a university.
called Varsity. Varsity is a student-led
If you have questions about Big
organization focused on maintaining and
Green, feel free to contact Varsity at
growing pride, spirit, and tradition within the
varsity@stetson.edu.
#HootyHoo 13
November-December, 2013
STETSON SPIRIT
Stetson Alma Mater
Dear Alma Mater,
Smile Upon Thy Children;
Gladly We Greet Thee,
Altogether Lovely;
Peace Be Within Thy
Classic Halls And Temples.
Hail, Alma Mater Dear
Dear Alma Mater,
Tenderly Thy Children
Gather And Bring To Thee
Gracious Salutations;
Comrades, Your Voices
Lift Once Again In Chorus,
Hail, Alma Mater Dear.
Stetson Fight Song
Stetson U will win the game,
Listen to our cheer,
GO HATTERS!
Shout the glory of your name,
Spread it far and near,
YEA HATTERS!
Alma mater praise to thee
And our teammates true,
GO HATTERS!
Marching on to victory
Let’s GO, HATTERS, GO!
#HootyHoo 14
Stetson Cheer
Razzmatazz Razzmatazz
Hatter Hooty Hoo
We are STETSON
Who the heck are you?
Hullaballoo Hat Knuckle
Flim flam flop
We are STETSON
And we can’t be TOPPED
November-December, 2013
Tip of the Hat: Academic Success
For the second straight year, the Stetson sand volleyball program
has been selected as a recipient of the American Volleyball
Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award.
The award is presented annually to volleyball programs who
maintain at least a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0
scale. The Hatters completed the 2012-13 academic year with a
3.40 team GPA.
“The scholar-athletes on our team worked very hard in the
classroom to achieve this award,” Stetson volleyball head coach
Tim Loesch said. “The sand volleyball team has made earning
this award a tradition, having done so in both years of existence.
This accomplishment is even more meaningful because Stetson
is such a prestigious academic university. I’m very proud of our
players for their studies and helping Stetson win the Atlantic Sun
Academic Cup last year.”
The Stetson sand volleyball program was one of 130 recipients
on the NCAA Division I level to be honored with the AVCA Team
Academic Award. The Hatters also saw 19 of its student-athletes
earn A-Sun All-Academic Team honors in 2012-13.
Meanwhile, seven Stetson University softball student-athletes
were named 2012-13 All-America Scholar-Athletes by the National
Fastpitch Coaches Association.
The Hatter honorees were Mallory Brooks, Jordan Cleghorn,
Jessica Griffin, Brittany Hawn, Chrissy Morello, Chelsea Whalley
and K.K. Woolington.
To earn NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete accolades, a player
must carry a GPA of 3.50 or higher during the previous academic
year. The Hatters posted a 3.37 team GPA for the 2012-13
academic year, which ranked as the 34th-highest team GPA in all
of Division I.
2013-14 Honors
Cross Country
Runner of the Week...................................................................Amanda Spring (Sept. 11)
Football
PFL Defensive Player of the Week.................Donald Payne (three times - Sept. 1, 8, 22)
PFL co-Special Teams Player of the Week.............................James LaGamma (Sept. 2)
Sports Network FCS National Freshman of the Week..................Donald Payne (Sept. 2)
CFPA National Linebacker of the Week......................................Donald Payne (Sept. 22)
Women’s Soccer
A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week........................................... Danielle Hurme (Oct. 7)
Men’s Soccer
Mercer Classic all-tournament team.......................................Steven Saballos, J.J. Bostic
A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week.......................................Andreas Schnabl (Oct. 21)
A-Sun Player of the Week.....................................................................JJ Bostic (Oct. 28)
Volleyball
UniWyo Invitational all-tournament team...................................................... Kaley Melville
Westin Classic co-MVP..........................................................Kaley Melville, Kayla Weller
Westin Classic all-tournament team...................................... Madison Akins, Ellen Hawks
Lion Classic all-tournament team........................................Tiffany Creamer, Ellen Hawks
A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week.............................................. Ellen Hawks (Sept. 9)
A-Sun Player of the Week........................................................... Kaley Melville (Sept. 23)
A-Sun Freshman of the Week................. Tiffany Creamer (two times, Sept. 23, Sept. 30)
Women’s Basketball
A-Sun Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, all-conference team............Sasha Sims
#HootyHoo 15
Danielle Hurme
November-December, 2013
Hatter Classic on Tap for Stetson Golf Teams
Giulia Vandenberg (left) and Dirk Kuehler (right) will help lead the Stetson golf teams at the Hatter Classic Nov. 4-5.
The Stetson men’s and women’s golf
teams host their annual fall tournaments
the first week in November, with both
events taking place Nov. 4-5, at Victoria
Hills Golf Club in DeLand.
Both
tournaments
are
being
hosted with the Central Florida Sports
Commission. Participating teams in
the men’s Stetson Invitational include
Bethune-Cookman, Embry-Riddle, Florida
A&M, Florida Atlantic, Palm Beach Atlantic,
St. Leo and Savannah State.
The event, which has been staged
every year since beginning in 2002, was
won by UCF in 2012. The Hatters finished
eighth in the nine-team field last season,
but head coach Larry Watson vows that
won’t be the case this year.
“Last year, we finished next-to-last in
our own tournament. We aren’t going to
let that happen again,” said Watson. “We
also want to build this tournament back
up and turn it back into one of the better
tournaments in the state.”
The 2013 fall season has been one
full of promise for a young Hatter squad
that features two freshmen and two
sophomores among its top five players.
Despite their youth, Stetson earned two
top-10 finishes in its first three tournaments
of the fall. Sophomore Dustin Dingus (72.8)
and freshman Dirk Kuehler (73.7) own the
top strokes averages for the Hatters.
“The fall has been part of a steppingstone process for us,” said Watson. “When
the season began, we knew what our goals
were, and we planned on each event to be
a step on the ladder toward us achieving
those goals. Part of our goal is to be ready
for the A-Sun championship in April. We
want to go from last to first.”
On the women’s side, head coach
Floyd Kerr and the Hatters are looking for
the seventh consecutive tournament win
in the Hatter Classic. Stetson has won the
tournament each year since 2007.
“This year’s field isn’t very big, but
we have an outstanding local flavor,” said
Kerr. “I guess you could call this the Battle
of Volusia County.”
The five-team field includes BethuneCookman, junior-college power Daytona
State, Florida Atlantic and fellow Atlantic
Sun Conference member USC Upstate.
The Hatters will likely field a pair of teams
at the tournament, bringing the total to six
squads.
Stetson senior Sammi Smith is the
defending champion. Smith fired an
8-over-par 224, winning by five strokes.
Despite the small field, Kerr expects a
competitive tournament.
“Daytona State is probably the best
junior-college program in the country, and
we’ve won the thing six straight years,” said
Kerr. “Bethune-Cookman can’t be ignored
#HootyHoo 17
either, and FAU has some outstanding
individual players, too. Plus, USC Upstate
is a conference opponent, and you know
they’ll give you their best.”
The Hatters have enjoyed a strong fall
season, earning three top-five finishes in
four tournaments. Stetson finished third at
the JU Classic in mid-October, with Giulia
Vandenberg (t-4th) and Alessandra Kutz
(t-8th) earning top-10 finishes.
Both tournaments are free and open
to the public. Tournament times are set for
a shotgun start each day at 7:30 a.m.
2013 Hatter Classic
When: Monday, Nov. 4, & Tuesday, Nov. 5
Where: Victoria Hills Golf Club
Format: 54 holes
(36 Monday, 18 Tuesday)
Start Time: 7:30 a.m. (shotgun)
Participating Teams, Men: BethuneCookman, Embry-Riddle, Florida A&M,
Florida Atlantic, Palm Beach Atlantic, Saint
Leo, Savannah State, Stetson
Participating Teams, Women: BethuneCookman, Daytona State, Florida Atlantic,
Stetson, USC Upstate
November-December, 2013
STETSON HATTERS MOBILE APP
NOW AVAILABLE ON
iPHONE and ANDROID
Download the Stetson Hatters mobile app and get all the latest in Stetson Athletics in a simple,
interactive interface on your mobile device. Stay connected to the latest news, scores and
schedules, and rosters for all your favorite Hatters sports teams!
The Premium version of this app grants access to live audio of Stetson games and exclusive
on-demand video from Hatter Vision, including press conferences, player and coach interviews,
and much more!
#HootyHoo 19
November-December, 2013
Hatters on the Airwaves
For the 2013-14 season, the Stetson men’s and women’s
basketball games will once again be heard on the radio at WSBB
1230 AM New Smyrna Beach, 1490 AM DeLand, MyAM1230.com
and the new WSBB iPhone and Android app.
The network is scheduled to carry all 30 regular season men’s
basketball games plus a minimum of 14 games for the defending
Atlantic Sun Conference champion women’s basketball team.
In addition to the radio broadcasts of the games, all Stetson
men’s and women’s home games will be available online through
HatterVision, and road conference games can be seen on ASun.TV.
Here are short bios on the voices you will be hearing during
the 2013-14 basketball seasons.
Robbie Aaron
Robbie Aaron, Director of Broadcasting and
Media Relations for the Daytona Cubs over
the past four years, returns for his second
season as the play-by-play announcer
for Stetson Men’s Basketball. In 2013, in
addition to broadcasting for the Daytona
Cubs, Aaron joined Len Kasper & Jim
Deshaies on a Chicago Cubs TV broadcast
at Wrigley Field, and did the same in 2012
with the New York Mets and broadcasters Gary Cohen, Ron
Darling and Kevin Burkhardt. In 2011, Aaron not only broadcast all
146 Daytona Cubs games, including the FSL Championship, but
was also honored by being elected to broadcast the 2011 FSL AllStar game in Clearwater for MiLB. Aaron broadcast for the Lehigh
Valley IronPigs in 2010, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia
Phillies, serving as the studio host and producer on ESPN radio of
the Lehigh Valley. Aaron has also worked for SNY, the TV home of
the New York Mets, WFAN, sports radio 660AM in New York, and
has broadcast in the Cape Cod League for the Harwich Mariners.
Aaron is a 2009 graduate of Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and
is a native of Port Washington, N.Y., on Long Island.
Ryan Rouse
No stranger to fans of Stetson Athletics,
Ryan Rouse has been the voice of
Stetson baseball for the past two seasons
in addition to serving in a play-by-play
role for men’s and women’s soccer and
volleyball games. Last year, he partnered
with Robbie Aaron on broadcasts of
Stetson men’s basketball games, and he
is set to move into the role of play-by-play
voice for the Stetson women’s hoops team this year. A native of
Sarasota, Rouse is a 2009 graduate of UCF, where he majored
in Interpersonal/Organizational Communication. During his time at
UCF, he served as Director of Broadcasting for Knightcast Student
Radio, and he has also done work for both the Orlando Magic and
Tampa Bay Rays.
The Stetson men’s basketball team will be showcased on
ESPN3 a total of nine times during the upcoming 2013-14 season,
and the Stetson women’s basketball team will be featured a
minimum of five times via ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app
for mobile devices.
The Stetson volleyball team will be featured on ESPN3 in its
Nov. 15 match at Lipscomb, as well as in every match the team
plays in the Atlantic Sun Championship (Nov. 21-23).
ESPN3 and WatchESPN are available to fans who receive
ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription from
Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS TV,
Comcast Xfinity TV or Midcontinent Communications, Cablevision
or Cox Communications. The app is available free to download for
Android devices from the Google Play store and Amazon Appstore
and for Apple devices from the App Store, streamed on televisions
via Xbox and Apple TV, as well as online via WatchESPN.com.
Here is a composite schedule of the games where Stetson will
be featured on ESPN3:
Hatters on ESPN3
Date
Sport
Opponent
Time
Nov. 8 Men’s BKB
at Clemson
7:00 pm
Nov. 10 Men’s BKB
at Notre Dame
1:00 pm
Nov. 15 Volleyball
at Lipscomb
7:30 pm
Nov. 21 Volleyball
at A-Sun Quarterfinals
TBA
Nov. 22 Volleyball
at A-Sun Semifinals
TBA
Nov. 22 Men’s BKB
at USF
7:00 pm
Nov. 23 Volleyball
at A-Sun Championship
TBA
Nov. 29 Women’s BKB at Florida State
7:00 pm
Dec. 7 Men’s BKB
at UCF
7:00 pm
Jan. 4 Women’s BKB at Florida Gulf Coast
7:00 pm
Jan. 5 Men’s BKB
Florida Gulf Coast (CSS)
1:00 pm
Jan. 18 Women’s BKB at Kennesaw State
2:00 pm
Jan. 23 Men’s BKB
at Kennesaw State
7:00 pm
Jan. 31 Men’s BKB
at Florida Gulf Coast (CSS)
7:00 pm
Feb. 1 Women’s BKB at Lipscomb
5:00 pm
Feb. 6 Women’s BKB at USC Upstate
7:00 pm
Feb. 13 Men’s BKB
at USC Upstate
7:00 pm
Mar. 1 Men’s BKB
at Lipscomb
11:00 am
Mar. 6 Men’s BKB
A-Sun Semifinals (CSS)
TBA
Mar. 9 Men’s BKB
A-Sun Championship (ESPN2)
TBA
Mar. 15 Women’s BKB A-Sun Semifinals
TBA
Mar. 16 Women’s BKB A-Sun Championship (CSS)
TBA
CSS - Game also televised on CSS
ESPN2 - Game also televised on ESPN2
#HootyHoo 20
November-December, 2013
November 2013
Since Stetson’s founding, the City of DeLand and Stetson University have
enjoyed a shared history. Both have recognized that for each to be succssful,
the other must also succeed. To continue that success, both have partnered
in various ways for years. The City recognizes Stetson is a wonderful partner
and a great community asset that enhances DeLand’s quality of life. DeLand
and Stetson truly enjoy a unique relationship.
In athletics, a mutually beneficial partnership was forged when both worked
together to construct Melching Field at Conrad Park to house the Stetson
baseball program. When Stetson decided to reintroduce football, crafting
another partnership with the City made football financially feasible. To have
a quality non-scholarship football program and an enhanced spectator
experience, improvements were needed to DeLand’s Spec Martin Stadium, the home of DeLand High
School football. The stadium needed a new, modern press box, more team locker space, new turf, a
premium scoreboard, improved seating, and other miscellaneous improvements.
The improvements cost $4,500,000, which was funded in part by the City of DeLand. Additionally, Stetson
and the City entered into a 20-year stadium lease. Under the agreement, Stetson pays rental fees for
stadium use and shares with the City a percentage of certain other revenues. The agreement is projected
to generate $2,160,000 for the City with a guaranteed base rent of $1,400,000, over the lease term.
Stetson benefited by not having the capital cost to build a stadium or any upfront capital cost with the City’s
stadium improvements, allowing Stetson to use its resources to build the Athletic Training Center to house
football, women’s lacrosse and other sports programs.
DeLand now has a much-improved stadium and receives a significant economic impact. Stetson provides
the community with NCAA college football, increased enrollment and new jobs. When Stetson began
talking about its football program, the City realized the potential economic boost this could be for the
community. Football games would draw visitors to the City, who would spend money at local businesses.
The increased student enrollment attracted by the football and lacrosse programs, plus needed additional
faculty and staff, will have a direct impact on the local economy. In a study done, it was estimated that
$282,960 annually will be spent by the increased enrollment. The total number of jobs created locally over
a four-year period resulting from this partnership was projected to be 194. Besides the economic benefit for
area businesses, Stetson will also realize an economic benefit. The increased enrollment has a projected
total impact to Stetson’s revenues of $16,237,632 annually.
The City/Stetson football partnership ushered in a new era of Stetson football and created an economic
boost for the City and Stetson. This collaborative partnership has created a new excitement on campus
and in the DeLand area. This partnership is an absolute win-win for the entire DeLand community.
Mayor-Commissioner Robert F. Apgar
City of DeLand